THE STAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXV, Issue 11848, 6 December 1913, Page 2

THE STAGE.

(By "The Critic")

TOWN HALL BOOKINGS.

1913. December 10.—St. Brides' Convent Concert. December 11.—Ellwood Trio. December 25—Ellwood Trio. Pictures. —Vacant dates. 1914. January 20th.— J. C. Williamson, Ltd. January 23.—8. E. Williams' Concert Company.

FORESTERS , HALL. Thompson-Payne Pictures, permanent,

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of witnessing the opening production of "Tho Geisha" by the Wellington Operatic Society. The pretty Japanese play was nicely staged, and the individual artists acquitted themselves well. On the whole, tho production Avas not so good as that of the opening night by the Masterton Operation, inasmuch as the orchestra and the singers were nt loggerheads on several occasions, but this weakness would no doubt bo overcome on the following nights of the production. Mr A. W. Newton, as "Wuu Hi," kept very closely to the interpretation given by Mr Harry Hall in Mastorton —in fact, his jokes and "business" were on exactly similar lines, and could not fail to amuse the audience. Miss Helen Gardner, of Dunedin, made a charming "0 Mimosa San," Mr V. K. Meredith was good as ''Reginald Fairfax," and Dr. Norman Hales, was excellent as the "Marquis Marl." Mr Tom Pollard acted as stage, manager.

Norwood, the American hypnotist, who had the misfortune to break a leg some weeks ago, has made a good recovery, and will piny a season at Palmerston North next week.

The Chorus of the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera, Company has sailed for South Africa. The principles sail direct from England, and the season opens in Johannesburg with ''The Mikado" on December 20th.

''Within the Law" which has every prospect of scoring a record in Australia, has passed its eighth week at the Sydney Criterion Theatre. In Melbourne the piece ran for a little over I.'? weeks, and appeared to bo strong enough for a further period, but the change over had to be made in accordance with the plans of J. C. Williamosn (Ltd.). It seems extremely likely that this one play will carry tho company right through Australia and New Zealand.

Mrs Elizabeth Brcuil. the loading film playwright of the United States, has just completed her two hundred and sixty-first kinema drama.

One of the important engagements made for the Ohri.stsmns revue i" Australia is Miss Daisy Jerome, who is said to be one of the beauties of the English stage. Miss Jerome is really an American. Chiefly she has been associated with the music halls, with songs written exclusively for her use and rendered in her own particular manner. She has red hair, and is said to be the only woman living with Titian locks who can wear purple and cerise. Anyone has only to mentally conjure up the combination —red hair, purple gown, and cerise. Her wardrobe is mightily original in other respects. In vaudeville it consists of 70 gowns, and she never wears the same one twice in any one town. It is Miss Jerome's fondest idea that she is a creator of drcs3 ideals.

Paul ..inquevalli, Ada Reeve, and Florence Smithson, the latter of whom captured everybody by her success in "The Arcadians," arc among the army of artists that have been booked up for the Rickajjds circuit. Here are a few others who have been engaged: — The Athlones, vocal and dancing act; The Westwoods, cycling equilibrists; Dexter, comedy cartoonist; Thornley Dodge, skit studies; Ferry Corwoy, the musical clown; E<l. E. Ford, the Australian Sundowner; Farr and Farland, the duke and the amiable ass; Josephine Davis, assisted by Billie Gelle; Duncan and Godfrey, the popular Cockney couple; Sam Stern, singing character comedian;

the Four Ascots, dancers; Winifred Ward i the immaculate boy; Barton and Ashley, "Money Talks"; Dusty Rhodes, the Caruso of vaudeville; Potter and Martwell, in cricket, skit.

The record of big-house earnings for a single preformance, according to an American writer, is held by the New York Metropolitan. The takings amounted to £10,000, and the occasion was a gala opera night in honour of Prince Henry, brother of the Kaiser. Of individual artists the greatest draw was Adelina Patti, whoso houses were worth anywhere from £2000 to £:iOOO. Next to her comes Caruso, whoso audiences usually yield £2000 to £2500. Madame Melba's record house is somewhere in the neighbourhood of £1600. Madame Schumann-Heinz, the German contralto, averages £1000 a night. Among theatricals the elderly Sarah Bernhardt holds the record. In ono week in Boston she induced the local population to part with £8400..

Auckland playgoers are greatly disappointed at the cancellation of the projected visit of the Quinlan Grand Opera Company. There will now be no big attractions at Auckland until the week before Christmas, when one of the Williamson Companies will open in the northern city. When the New Comic Opera Company comes to New Zealand, on the conclusion or its season in Melbourne, Miss Florence Young will again accompany it. On the last visit of the "New Comics" to the Dominion, Miss Young took the opportunity to indulge in a three' months holiday but

she is now looking forward to renewing her acquaintance with New Zealand audiences.

The many admirers of that great singer, Antonia. Dolores, will be glad to learn that she is once more in perfect health and voice, after some unusually trying experiences, duo originally to the rigours of an English winter, but culminating in a breakdown after this year's tour of South Africa. Her successful tour ut the Capo involved her in an immense amount of hard travelling and frequent appearances, through which the diva seemed to emerge triumphantly. However, she fell seriously ill during her holiday on her return to Paris, aud her own reflection is expressed in the. words: "Tell the many singing students in Sydney whom I love to think of when far away that a professional career/is. most arduous, and that physical strength and cheerful industry must support the well-trained voice". Fortunately, possessing these necessary gifts—but why do 1 vaunt myself like this when I wish to be all humility?—l am now perfectly all right again. * I am leaving Paris next week (the postmark reads, 'Gare St. Lazare, Oct. S'), with my friend Mile. Vaudour, to.meet some engagements in England that will occupy mo until Christmas, after which I sail ior v Hew Zealand. My tour there will extend till about Easter and then 1 shall see my many friends in Sydney, and I shall then fulfil my promise, postponed through a cold, to sing with the Royal Philharmonic Society as in past years.''